My Philosophy & Taste

It's important to find a reader who's a good fit for you.

My Philosophy

On the world of script consulting

Lots of coverage services exist - and you're right to be skeptical of them. I hope it's clear that I'm not a scam artist looking to make millions off the dreams of aspiring writers. I'm simply offering the same kinds of insight that I already give studios and producers at what I feel is an affordable price. I've done paid screenwriting work and I've developed projects with a few different producers and directors, but I'm not yet able to make my entire living from screenwriting alone. Some pro writers rail against all screenwriting consultants, which I understand, especially when some consultants charge a lot and make ridiculous promises. However, it's your money and you can do what you want with it. (I've also priced my services specifically so that you won't feel like you're parting with a fortune when you seek my help, and I don't ever up-sell writers or pressure them into hiring me.) Additionally, I only promise to take my time and give you my best notes.

On the notes process

I understand how hard it can be to finish a script. I'm a writer too, and I don't take any delight in tearing other writers down. People don't realize that a reader WANTS to find a script that blows her away. I don't want to Pass over and over - I want to find that Recommend. I'll be honest about your script and how I think it stacks up against the professional-level ones I read, but I pride myself on being supportive, helpful and specific. If I think a character needs work, I'll point out a scene that supports my claim. I'll offer big-picture ideas as well as page notes, and I'm happy to address specific concerns and tailor my notes in any way that you think would be helpful. I aim to help you think about your script in a new way, offering potential solutions while also realizing that there's no single "right" way to tell a story.

My Taste

I gravitate toward dramas and comedies, but I also enjoy thrillers and occasional action movies. Here are some of the movies I watched in 2018:

CRAZY RICH ASIANS

A STAR IS BORN

EIGHTH GRADE

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS

ON THE BASIS OF SEX

OCEAN’S 8

BLOCKERS

BIRD BOX

GREEN BOOK

FIRST MAN

BLACKKKLANSMAN

LOVE, SIMON

BEN IS BACK

THE HATE U GIVE

A PRIVATE WAR

GAME NIGHT

CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?

VICE

THE WIFE

BEAUTIFUL BOY

TULLY

DESTROYER

MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FALLOUT

JULIET, NAKED

SET IT UP

I FEEL PRETTY

PRIVATE LIFE

LIFE OF THE PARTY

IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK

COLETTE

WIDOWS

OVERBOARD (REMAKE)

ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE

BLACK PANTHER

PADDINGTON 2

BOOK CLUB

TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE

Older faves:

LADYBIRD

THE BIG SICK

EDGE OF SEVENTEEN

PHANTOM THREAD

MOONLIGHT

MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

20TH CENTURY WOMEN

GET OUT

THE POST

ARRIVAL

MONEYBALL

PITCH PERFECT

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU

NIGHTCRAWLER

ZOOLANDER

BRIDGET JONES’ DIARY

EDGE OF TOMORROW

DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL

WRECK IT RALPH

MONSTERS INC

HOME ALONE

COOL RUNNINGS

THE MIGHTY DUCKS

THE GRADUATE

A PHILADELPHIA STORY

WAYNE’S WORLD

DIRTY DANCING

WORKING GIRL

The THIN MAN series

I also enjoy period pieces such as JANE EYRE, THE GREAT GATSBY, A ROYAL AFFAIR, and LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP.

I've also sampled a ton of pilots, including SUPERSTORE, CAMPING, GROWNISH, GOOD GIRLS, WESTWORLD, THIS IS US, I LOVE DICK, FLAKED, ONE MISSISSIPPI, THE BOLD TYPE, DR. KEN, THE CARMICHAEL SHOW, UNDATEABLE, ANGEL FROM HELL, LIMITLESS, MR. ROBOT, UNREAL, CASUAL, ANGIE TRIBECA, MOZART IN THE JUNGLE, Z NATION, THE NEWSROOM, HALT & CATCH FIRE, THE LEFTOVERS, EMPIRE, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, TOGETHERNESS, SWITCHED AT BIRTH, MARRIED, ELEMENTARY, MAN SEEKING WOMAN, ONCE UPON A TIME and PRETTY LITTLE LIARS.

I may write and enjoy comedies the most, but I frequently Consider and Recommend scripts in other genres too. Since I read for an international distributor, I get assigned all kinds of scripts that are for sale at festivals like TIFF, Sundance, Berlin, EFM and AFM. Although taste is a part of reading, I evaluate scripts based on their potential within their genres, not based on how much I like that genre.